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Vuda Marina
Fiji is a unique commercial marina which operates as a hub & safe haven for
yachts traveling to the South Pacific. It is Fiji’s only insurance rated cyclone
storage marina, both in the water and out.The marina
is conveniently located inland at Vuda Point situated on the outer most end of
Vuda Point between Nadi airport (15mins by car from the marina) and Lautoka City
(main port of entry 15mins drive) on the west coast of Viti
Levu. APPROACHThe marina
can be entered via a 25-meter wide channel clearly marked with arrows and
beacons in the day and green upper and lower leading lights for entry at night.
Both the marina and marina basin were constructed to a depth of 3 meters at zero tide (2.7 in my opinion now).The
coordinates for the mouth of our channel are:17º41’04”S177º23’02”EBefore you
enter the Marina
channel, please contact them via VHF16 and calling clearly “Vuda Marina, Vuda
Marina, Vuda Marina. This is vessel xyz” and await further instruction. All our
radio operators speak English fluently.Once you
are advised that the channel is free of any traffic, they will ask you to enter
their main basin and pick up the orange buoy. Yard staff will then be with you
shortly to help you into your berth.These
instructions are for vessels who have already cleared customs and are legally
allowed free passage in Fiji
waters. If you have not yet officially cleared into Fiji, pickup the white quarantine
mooring approximately 400m outside our channel entrance. If the mooring is
already taken by another vessel, then please drop anchor nearby. The depth in
this area is approximately 16m with a sand bottom (more in section Formalities).MARINAMarina has a capacity for 160 boats (78 in water) with ramp ways
for smaller boats.The complex
operates a 63-tonne WISE travel lift and has cradles (as well as the famous
“cyclone pit” berths) with spaces available for up to 80 boats in the
hard-stand area (34 of which are dedicated cyclone pit berths). The new
catamaran haulout ramp has also been constructed allowing haul outs of
catamarans up to 12m wide. You have to
moor med-style at Vuda Marina so please have 2 stern lines and 2 bow lines at
the ready. Your stern lines should be the longer lines. You will also need a
minimum of 3 good fenders on both your port and starboard sides of your vessel
if you are less than 45’
and at least 4 on either side for larger vessels.

They operate on a
first-come, first-served basis and so there may not be a berth for you
immediately and you may need to stay in our over-spill areas for a few hours or
a few days. These over-spill areas all have access to power and water.

Each berth has a 240V,
10amp, single phase, 3-pin powerpoint (same as Australia
and New Zealand)
and shared access to a fresh water tap on each dock. Note that docks are fixed
so leave enough slack in your cords and hoses to allow for the tidal range. The
Fiji Electricity Authority is reasonably reliable, however can be subject to
unexpected surges. It is recommended to run any valuable items through a surge
protector as we do not take any responsibility for damaged items.

Coming in to the dock
bow-to or stern-to is a personal choice in Sailing Season (1st May
to 31st Oct), however it is mandatory to go stern-to in Cyclone
Season (1st Nov to 30th Apr) as your anchor chain plays a
major part in the event of a storm. Note that some vessels with a deep rudder
may need to go bow-in as it becomes shallow close to the basin wall during low
tide. It is the masters decision to decide if going stern-to is appropriate.

When coming in to your
berth, please be aware of other vessels mooring lines and be careful not to
foul your propeller. Any damage to other vessels mooring lines or the Marinas mooring lines
will be charged to the owner of the vessel. Our advise – take it very slowly.
Ease into your berth. Don’t panic. And if you are not comfortable due to strong
winds or engine difficulites then do not try to go into your berth. You can
always try again when the weather calms down or even the next morning.

FORMALITIESAs with all
countries, there are certain government requirements you are expected to follow
when first entering Fiji.Once you
arrive into Fijian waters, it is your obligation to proceed proceed directly to
a Port of Entry before you can make landfall. Ports of Entry can be found at
the following locations:Vuda Marina, Western
Viti LevuLautoka
Wharf, Western
Viti LevuSuva
Harbour, Eastern
Viti LevuLevuka, OvalauSavusavu, Vanua LevuRotuma, RotumaBefore You
ArriveAll Yachts
arriving into Fiji
must give the Fiji Revenue & Custom Authority (FRCA) 48 hours advanced
notice of arrival. All the details required for the advanced notice are on
Customs form C2-C which is available from the FRCA’s website at

www.frca.org.fj/docs/customs_forms/c2c.pdf.
Advance
notice should be emailed to yachtsreport@frca.org.fj.
Failure to give 48hr notice of arrival will result in a fine.If you have
failed to send in your “Advance Arrival Notification Form” (otherwise known as
the “C2C form”) at least 48 hours prior to your expected arrival, then you will
not be permitted to clear in at Vuda Marina and will need to proceed to Lautoka Wharf. The form can be found at
http://www.frca.org.fj/customs-forms-2/.It is
possible to send your information more than 48 hours if you know you are
expecting a long sail. For example, those yachts arriving from New Zealand and
expect a 6 to 8 day sail should send through the forms from New Zealand before
they leave. Exact arrival times are often unknown due to many variables,
however an estimated arrival date is required.CustomsEmail: yachtsreport@frca.org.fjFax: +679 666 0570 (Att: Boarder Control)ImmigrationEmail: immigration@govnet.gov.fjBiosecurityEmail: yachtinfo@biosecurityfiji.comHealth QuarantineEmail: niko.nadolo@govnet.gov.fjFax: +679 666 0570 (Att: Boarder Control)If you are
clearing at Vuda Marina then there are certain things you must do:

Raise
your yellow Q flag to indicate to persons that you have not cleared customs yet

Radio
Vuda Marina on VHF16 between the hours of 7.30am and 3pm (Monday to Friday) and
advise us the name of the vessel and the date you sent your “Advance Arrival
Notification or C2C form” when you are approximately 1 hour away.

You
will then need to pickup the white quarantine mooring approximately 400m
outside our channel entrance. If the mooring is already taken by another
vessel, then please drop anchor nearby. The depth in this area is approximately
16m with a sand bottom.

Radio
us again on VHF16 and advise that you are outside our channel and awaiting
customs clearance.

You
may be waiting some time as the officials are not permanently based at Vuda
Marina and only attend when there is a need. Make yourselves comfortable, have
a meal and relax.

Monitor
VHF16 and await further word from Vuda Marina staff.

Depending
on your Port of Departure, it may be necessary for you
to be boarded by Ministry of Health Officials and have your vessel sprayed. If
not, you will be issued with Radio Pratique and will be permitted to enter our Marina without any
boarding.

Prepare
your vessel for docking. At least 4 fenders on your starboard side at the
waterline with bow and stern lines of at least 5m each. You may also wish to
prepare some springer lines if it is windy.

When
given the all-clear by Marina staff to enter the
Marina channel,
you will then slowly motor along the channel until you pass the rock headland
on either side of you. The deck of the restaurant will be on your starboard
side. 20 metres
past the restaurant deck you will see a white floating pontoon. This is the
boarding pontoon and staff will be on hand to assist with your lines and secure
your vessel.

You
are not yet permitted to disembark from your vessel or off load any refuse.
Please await instructions from the government officials. They may decide to
conduct the clearance procedure on board or may ask the captain to come into
the airconditioned office. If the captain goes to the office, the crew members
must wait on board and cannot disembark until the captain has returned.

Please
have your vessel papers, the captains and all crew members passports and your
completed C2C form with you.

There
will be numerous forms for the captain to complete. Please complete them
truthfully and completely. This process can take up to 1 hour depending on the
number of crew members so please be patient.

Relevant
fees will need to be paid. There is an ATM located at the Marina
or major foreign currency can be exchanged at the Marina office.

You
have now cleared customs and have officially entered Fiji. Bula Vinaka.

If
you are staying with us, please proceed to the Marina office for further information about
securing a berth. You can also apply for a cruising permit while in the office
and we will help you arrange that. If you are not staying with us, we wish you
a pleasant stay in Fiji.
Please radio us on VHF16 prior to your departure so that we can confirm that
the channel is clear for your departure.

Hours of OperationCustoms
Clearance facilities are available from 8am to 4pm Monday to Friday only.Weekend and
Public Holiday clearances are not permitted. If you arrive on a weekend or
public holiday, you will need to clear in at Lautoka Wharf.Customs
Clearance ChargesThere are
certain charges payable upon clearing into and out of Fiji.The charges to clear INTO Fiji are as
follows:

All prices
are in Fijian dollars.GENERAL ABOUT CLEARANCELength of StayImmigration
issues a standard 4 month visitor permit to all personnel whose nationalities
are eligible to a visa on arrival This can be extended a further 2 months to a
total of 6 months. 18 month special purpose visas are also available. Customs
issue a temporary import permit for the yacht to remain in Fiji for 18 months.ProcedureFly the international “Q” flag on Arrival and await
instructions or arrival of the authorities (given by VHF by Yacht Club). Do not
let anything nor anyone on or off prior to Inward Clearance or after Outward
Clearance has been issued.Documents
required for clearance on Arrival:- Certificate
of Customs clearance from your previous port/country- Crew
list, with passport numbers, nationality, age, position on vessel- Passports
for all personnel, valid for at least 3 months from your date of Fiji
departure- Yachts
Registration Document- Ownership
documents and list of any arms, ammunitions or other weapons carried- Detailed
list of Alcohol carried onboard including brand, type and quantity of each
bottle-
Up-to-date yacht log bookHealth On arrival,
yachts must obtain a health clearance certificate or “Pratique” from the Health
Department. The Health Officer will be the first official to clear the yacht.
Health levy a fee for this clearance which is payable on boat or at the Divisional
Medical Officer’s office.QuarantineInform
Quarantine of any prohibited items on board. If you are not sure if an item is
prohibited declare it to the officer.Overseas
yachts are requested to declare on arrival the following:

Soil or
equipment used with animals of any kind, or that has come in contact with soil.

Biological specimens including vaccine cultures, blood or any other biological
specimen.

Domesticated pets to be bonded and kept on board the vessel at all times. (cats
/ dogs / birds) etc.

Many of the
above items will not be permitted to be kept aboard the yacht for the duration
of the visit in Fiji.
Garbage may also contain restricted items and should not be discharged without
the permission of the Agricultural Quarantine Officer. What is allowed to stay
aboard is at the discretion of the Officer who works according to the
Biosecurity Regulations.Customs / ImmigrationAfter
clearance by Health/Pratique, the Customs Officer will process you through the
customs declaration including your yacht’s intentions and stores held aboard
whilst in Fiji
waters. Customs will issue your inward clearance and Rotation Number (customs
ID number).

CLEARANCE ON DEPARTURE - Customs/ImmigrationYou must
berth in a Port of entry/exit. Pay your port fees at the port office and
proceed to the Customs Office to complete Customs clearance out formalities. If
firearms, ammunition or other weaponry are to be returned to you on departure,
you must make arrangements with the Police to have your property returned from
the armoury and placed back on board. Immigration
will provide departure clearance on board and will issue Certificate of
clearance accordingly. The yacht must leave immediately or at least one hour
after Immigration Departure clearance has been issued.Exiting Fiji WatersYou are
required to sail from Fiji
waters within 1 hour. Complete all business ashore prior to clearance. If you
are delayed beyond 1 hour, contact the same Customs office immediately and
record in the Log Book the cause for failure to depart. Failure to inform
customs that the yacht has not departed Fiji Waters within 1 hour of clearance
is an offence for which the penalty is a fine of FJ$20,000 or 2 years
imprisonment.Documents
required for clearance on departure.

Copy of
your inward clearance

Up dated
Crew list, with passport numbers, nationality, age and position on vessel

Passports
for all personnel

Detailed
list of Alcohol carried onboard including brand, type and quantity of each
bottle

Domestic Cruising PermitsAll yachts
intending to visit any of the outer islands require a Cruising Permit. Cruising
Permits can be obtained through yacht agents, marinas or directly from Ministry
of I Taukei Affairs on arrival. WATERTaps on the
quaysFUELThere is a
fuel dock, diesel and gasoline avaiableMARINAS FACILITIESMarina Fjii
also has its own fully licensed bar, restaurant and café as well as a ship
chandlery and general store (grocery) located within its environ. Marina activities are varied and include, open air movie
nights and a live band every Sunday on the lawn area overlooking the Mamanuca
Group of Islands. The Marina also has accommodation (single and two bedroom
apartments and rooms) for short term rental.WiFiThe best in
my opinion when cruising Fiji
is to buy a sim card with data (internet). Digicel have a good internet plans,
and you can add more credits any time. 2GB cost about 10 F$. Their offices you
will find in cities center.but anyway

All customers to Vuda Marina are entitled to complimentary one-hour high speed internet per day.
Daily and weekly passes are also available at very affordable prices. A 24 hour pass is FJ$5.00 and a weekly pass is FJ$20.00.

Passes can be obtained from the Marina office. The marina is 99%
covered by our wifi network and internet speeds are up to 10mbps on the
Connect broadband network.GROCERIESThere is
one grocerie in the marina, but products are limited. It is god to go to
Lautoka town for bigger shoping.CYCLONE STORAGEVuda Marina
has one of the most unique yacht storage systems in the world. They have forty
“cyclone pits” for the safe keeping of your vessel over the cyclone season (1st
Nov – 30th Apr).Your vessel
is slowly lowered into the pit and cushioned on either side with tyres. The
majority of the weight of the vessel is taken by its keel on the bottom of the
pit.Should a
storm occur, this is the safest place to be. You will have no waves to contend
with. No other boats will be pushing against you. Just you and your yacht in
its own safe refuge.These pits
are extremely popular and generally sell out before the end of July. Advanced
booking are highly recommended. If we are fully booked then it is possible to
be placed on waitlist. On rare occasions there may be a last minute
cancellation, so the offer is then extended to the first person on our
waitlist. If they have already made plans, then it is offered to the next
person and so forth.Discounts
are offered to those who pay in full before the end of March. A FJ$1,000
deposit is required to reserve a berth and full payment is required before the
end of July.Much
reduced rates are available for cyclone pits during Sailing Season (1st May –
31st Oct).Travel LiftVuda Marina
has the largest travel hoist in Fiji
and is capable of hauling vessels up to 63 tonnes. Their British-made ‘WISE’
brand of Travel Hoist lifts more than 750 vessels each year and our hardworking
staff are some of the most experienced and professional haul out staff in the
South Pacific.Immediately
after hauling it may be beneficial for you to take advantage of our high
pressure wash, especially if hauling out to anti-foul or for long-term cyclone
storage. Rates are based on the length of the vessel.Their
travel hoist ramp is limited to vessels with a beam of 5.85m (19’) and most vessels over 60’ will need to drop their
backstay in order to get under our cross beam. It is also recommended to remove
or lower any high standing instruments on your stern such as wind generators
and radars.Due to a
multitude of variables such as keel shape and depth, tide movements, wind
strength and direction, and other unforeseen factors, hauling out a vessel can
take some time. Generally a haul out into a cyclone pit takes 1.5-2.5 hours
(including pressure wash), while a haul out to the hardstand takes about 1.5
hour (including pressure wash). Relaunches can take as little as 20 minutes. They
will always do our best to haul you at the scheduled time however be prepared
for a possible delay of up to half a day.Catamarans
wishing to haul out their vessel have rather limited options in Fiji at the
moment but we are working on the possibility of putting in a new catamaran haul
out ramp. Until that ramp is completed, it may be possible to haul out via
crane using a Lautoka based company called Mobile Crane Hire. There are very
limited locations to haul out so please check with us if they are available
before making arrangements with the crane company. If your cat is less than 21’, we are capable of moving
it around the yard once it is on land. Note, that small catamarans under 19’ can haul out with our
travel hoist.

For crews

Vuda Marina
has its own fully licensed bar, restaurant and café. Marina
activities are varied and include, open air movie nights and a live band every
Sunday on the lawn area overlooking the Mamanuca Group of Islands.
You can go
by taxi or bus to Lautoka and Nadi town. Both worth to visit.

Fees

All up to date rates are on marina web page: http://www.vudamarina.com.fj/

Rates 20171. IN WATER BERTHS | Berthing Fees per
LOA (minimum 35′) ::$0.90c per foot per day (US$0.43)$5.80 per foot per week (US$2.78)$22.00 per foot per month (US$10.10)***includes
free electricity and water. All customers also receive free 1 hour internet
pass per day2. TRAVEL
LIFTHaul out
and Re-launch ::Less than 2 tonnes: $310.00 (US$149)2- less than 20 tonnes: $420.00 (US$200)20 tonnes to less than 35 tonnes: $530.00
(US$250)35 tonnes to less than 50 tonnes: $840.00
(US$400)50 tonnes to max 65 tonnes: $1,400.00
(US$670)3.
CATAMARAN TRAILERHaul out
and Re-launch ::$1,500 (maximum 20 Tonne)Lift and
Hold (per hour) for travel lift or catamaran trailer :: 50% offExtra Move
for travel lift or catamaran trailer :: $260 (US$125)Surcharge –
on weekends or public holiday :: $300 (US$145)4. CYCLONE
PITS | per LOA foot (minimum 35′) ::·CYCLONE
SEASON (1st Nov to 30th Apr) – $195.00 per 6 months (US$91.20)·SAILING
SEASON (1st May to 31st Oct) – $14.00 per month (US$6.70)·Pay
in full before 31st March & receive 20% off 6 month rate·A
non-refundable deposit of $1,500 is required to secure a pit. All cyclone
season pits must be paid in full by 15th September or they will be offered to
the next yacht on the waitlist.·Yachts
in the cyclone pits during sailing season MUST be removed by the 31st October
if not staying for the cyclone season·Additional
stays less than 1 month are charged at daily hardstand rate5.
HARDSTAND/ OUT OF WATER BERTHS | Hardstand Fees per LOA ::$1.20 per foot per day (US$0.58)$7.20 per foot per week (US$3.45)$26.00 per foot per month (US$12.50)***includes
free electricity and water.***25%
surcharge will be applied for subsequent months after the second month6. PROPS/
BLOCKS/ AEROPLANE TYRES | per piece ::$3.50 per day (US$1.50)$21.00 per week (US$10.10)$70.00 per month (US$32.40)Minimum number of props required is subject
to Travel-lift Operators discretion7. BOAT
RAMP | with own trailer per use ::$5.008. BOAT AND
TRAILER | max 33′ per vessel ::$150.00 – Monthly$750.00 – 6 Monthly9. SMALL
VESSEL PONTOON | max 33′ LOA (per half year) ::$2,295.0010. CRADLES
| per unit ::$16.00 per day$96.00 per week$336.00 per month11.
SCAFFOLD | 2 stands + 1 plank ::$9.00 per day12.
WATERBLAST | per LOA ::Monohull$3.00 per footMultihull$4.00 per foot13. CYCLONE
TIE DOWNS | per piece ::$10.00 per month (minimum 2 months)***Vessels
on the hardstand MUST be tied down in the event of a severe storm14. FREEZER
STORAGE | per unit ::$25.00 per week15. MAST
STORAGE | per mast ::$100.00 per week$300 per month16. SEVERE
WEATHER SURCHARGE FEES | per LOA ::$500.00 – Pleasure Craft less than 40ft$750.00 – Pleasure Craft 40ft and above$1500.00 – Commercial vessel less than 40ft$1750.00 – Commercial vessel 40ft and aboveIMPORTANT
NOTE ::·All
rates are in $FJD and are exclusive of government taxes and charges·US
dollars are indicative only·Berthing
payments are not berth specific·Vessels
with a beam 16’
and over are charged 150% of the above berthing and storage rates and vessels
with a beam 24’
and over are charged 200% of the above berthing and storage rates·Weekly,
monthly and 6 monthly rates only available if paid in advance. Failure to pay
in advance will result in daily rate being charged until paid up to date·Invoices
not paid after 30 days will incur a 7.5% late payment fee until fully paid·Free
power is limited to normal supply through a 10amp plug. Air-conditioning units
or power tools subject to review by Marina
management